Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-23
BLIZZARD DELIGHTED,
NARROWING TALES OF LIFE AND
 DEATH ON THE PLAINS.


 DEATH ON THE PLAINS.
 Sixty Lives Reported Sacrificed to the
 Biting Blasts in Kansas-Stories of Men
 Charity to the Rescue.
 WICHITA, Kan, Dec. 23.-Addtional and final details of the results of the recent bliz- gard have been received which prove it to have been the worst ever known in the state. The number of deaths by freezing and starvation is now believed to be at least sixty. Few residents of the eastern part of the state really thought such an alarming state Of affairs existed, and they are now most liber- ally responding to the call for aid.
 J. Packney, mayor of Ashland, Clark county, reached this city yesterday. and from him the story of the storm in that county was learned. He said: ''When the blizzard struck the western settlers last Mon- day they were in many instances entirely out of fuel Sunday was a mild and pleas ant day, and no enc seemed prepared for the fearful storm that followed about 10 o'clock on Monday. Snow began falling, which grew into blizzard. The wind came from the north, and the snow soon became blind- ing. It was almost impossible for any one to travel in the storm. Two men named John Henry and John Cotter, en route to Texas, left Ashland an hour before the storm began. Their bodies were found the next day on the prairie. five miles west of town, frozen stiff. The team which they had with them was found fully twenty miles south. The animals had drifted with the wind, and. becoming exhausted, sank into the snow and died.
 Az, cR1 parties left Ashland. A sod house was the first entered, and pitiful sight met the gaze of the rescuers. The entire family of five, named Kanous, were found frozen stiff. Some were sitting bolt upright on stools, while the mother lay dead in bed. No fuel could be found about the premises. The rescuing party gathered the bodies together and brought them to Ashland, where they were buried. Bruce C.. Freddy, real estate agent, of Ashland, who had been out in tile country looking at claim, was found dead about half mile from the limits of that town. He had started home before the storm overlook him, but lost his way and perished."
 A gentleman from Greedy county gives even a more startling account. Three men left Horace county intending to go to claims short distance from town. They wandered around all night, and finally one of them. Mr. Gibbs, sank exhausted in the snow. His companions could not induce him to continue the tramp in search of shelter, and were finally compelled to leave him. His body was found the next day. The other two men kept on and finally reached Q dugout, where they gained shelter. Both had their arms, feet and ears frozen, and cannot live.
 The same gentleman tells a distressing story of the death of an emigrant, together with his wife and child. They went to @ ranch just before the blizzard became serious, and asked to be taken ill and shell tered. The ranchman refused to receive them, md after wandering on for some dis tance the blizzard becams so severe that tine horses became unmanageable and turned the wagon over, throwing out the mother and child. The babe soon succumbed, and then the mother died The father and hus- band covered the bodies with the wagon box and started out to find shelter for him. self His hallooing finally attracted settlers, and the emigrant was taken in and warmed, but it was too late Both feet were frozen, and before a physician could be summoned he died. -..
 A widowed mother together with 16- year. old son and younger daughter, in Comanche county, are dead, but their names cannot be learned. The son was sent out by his mother in search of fuel. After waiting some time for his return the mother and daughter at- tempted to go to tho house of their nearest neighbor. All three lost their way in the binding snow, and perished
 Three deaths are reported from Ford county, twelve from Mead county and five from Stevens county, but it is impossible to learn the names, as no direct communication is possible with those counties.
 Private dispatches from Lane, Scott and Wichita counties give equally as horrible details. Mrs. Riley and her two children were frozen to death near Dighton, Lane county, while six deaths are reported from Greeley, nine from Wichita and three iron, Scott county. Many new counties are To- cated 70 and 150 miles from telegraphic com. munication, and details come in slowly.
 Citizens of this city held a public meeting last night to raise funds and provisions for settlers, and the sufferers will be properly taken care of. A train load of provisions will leave Wichita for the west in time to reach the needy by Sunday, and will be given them as Christmas present. Other cities and towns in the state will also con tribute corn, wheat, coal and clothing, an 1t is also believed the state will be able to take care of its sufferers.
 The blizzard was the worst that ever ragged over Kansas since it was inhabitel, and tn. mortality of stock is very large. Th' weather moderated little yesterday.
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